Russia fined €30 000 by UEFA

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Warsaw - UEFA fined the Russian football association €30 000 on Sunday for "improper conduct" by fans at their Euro 2012 match against Poland.

The European football body said its disciplinary panel determined that Russian fans displayed "illicit" nationalist flags and threw fireworks onto the pitch. One man ran across the pitch carrying a Russia flag after Tuesday's match.

The punishment adds to Russia's €120 000 fine imposed after fans attacked stadium staff in Wroclaw at their first match against the Czech Republic.

Russia were eliminated from Euro 2012 after losing 1-0 against Greece on Saturday.

Their football association earned €10.5m in participation and prize money from UEFA for the team placing third in Group A behind the Czechs and Greece.

UEFA had also threatened Russia with a six-point deduction in their Euro 2016 qualifying group if fan violence is repeated during qualification matches.

Sunday's punishment does not activate the points penalty, UEFA said in a statement. The deduction remains suspended.

Russia are weighing an appeal against the first round of punishments, and can also challenge the new sanctions.

The offending flags were a black, yellow and white design used by the 19th-century Russian empire. The case did not relate to a huge "This Is Russia" flag unfurled when the Russian national anthem was played before kickoff in Warsaw.

UEFA also has been investigating claims that Russian fans racially abused Czech defender Theodor Gebre Selassie, who is black.

Poland's association was fined €4 000 for fans setting off fireworks at the match against Russia, UEFA said.

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